Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point

About this web log

This blog is intended as an objective and dispassionate source of information on the latest CAM research. Since my background is in pharmacy and allopathic medicine, I view all CAM as advancing through the development pipeline to eventually become integrated into mainstream medical practice. Some will succeed while others fail. But all are treated fairly here.

About the author

John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

Common sense considerations

The material on this weblog is for informational purposes. It is not medical advice or counsel. Be smart, consult your health professional before using CAM.

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Recent Comments

The use of complementary and alternative medicines is increasing in patients with chronic diseases. This study reports complementary and alternative medicine use frequency and factors that contribute to its use.

First, the details

Five hundred people participated by completing a 2-part questionnaire (including demographic form and researcher-created questionnaire)

Fibromyalgia affects 2% of Mexicans, of which 80% to 90% are women. This study examined the effects of electroacupuncture on health-related quality of life and heart rate variability in women with fibromyalgia.

There is a significant association between vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of statin-related symptomatic myalgia (muscle pain) in the general population; but how does it affect HIV-infected persons?

Researchers at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine, in Sacramento, assessed the impact of live interactive teledermatology consultations on changes in diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.

This site has stated that the evidence for using black cohosh to treat the symptoms of menopause is disappointing.

A study in the Journal of Agricultural & Food Chemistry suggests that one reason might be related to the lack of manufacturing standards in the production of this product, which leads to significant variability in the contents of different brands.

There are lots of benefits for those who stop smoking. I don’t want to get into that again. Rather, let’s look at the likelihood that if someone stops smoking, one year later they will still be a nonsmoker. Also, let’s review the impact of smoking cessation programs.

The FDA has warned consumers not to use Miracle Mineral Solution, an oral liquid solution also known as “Miracle Mineral Supplement” or “MMS.”

Believe it or not, this product, when used as directed, produces industrial bleach that can cause serious harm to health, including causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and symptoms of severe dehydration.

For the average American kid — you know the one: has caring parents, lives in a nice place, with no wants or needs — acne is likely to be the first event that can not be easily controlled to their satisfaction.

It’s God’s way of saying, “Look, there are going to be things in you life that you just have to make the best of. Get used to it. You can practice on acne.”

In an adolescent’s zeal to punish pimples, there is a tendency to select the most harsh, abrasive skin cleansers available. If sandpaper could be made to produce suds, some young people (and adults) would use it.

Craig Burkhart, MD, of the Department of Dermatology at Ohio University School of Medicine has a better approach.

Acne cosmetica was first described over 30 years ago. It was proposed that substances in cosmetic products caused the formation of comedones (blackheads) and, in some cases, an eruption. Changes in cosmetic ingredients make acne cosmetica much less common today, although it is reported occasionally.

Dr. Zoe Draelos, a clinical associate professor in the Department of Dermatology at Wake Forest University and Bowman Gray School of Medicine, published a review that answers many issues about cosmetics, cosmeceuticals and acne. Here are 4 myths, dispelled.